Thank you. These were what I thought I would hear. I find regular stock Alden shoes' calfskin not decent in comparison to my other Alden shoes and C&J and AS Premiere line shoes. In particular, they show creases most. I must note that I am not necessarily saying that calfskin sourced from Horween are better.

One thing though: Why, in general, brand new photos of lady calfskin shoes seem to show creases or as if they will be more susceptible to show more creases? Perhaps it is only me thinking like that? Or the grainy look and the fact of "more texture to it" you described give such impression to me?

I think they look more susceptible since they are more textured...almost like they have some natural crease lines in them. However, their creases seem less deep than standard alden calf - with a good bit of leather conditioner worked into them the creases seem to lighten up a lot. Here are some pictures of mine, they have not been polished or conditioned since last wear this week (sunday is shoe polish night!):

Alden calf on left, soft calfskin on right

Closeup of soft calfskin:

I like the soft calfskin and they are very comfortable. However, I wouldn't pay any extra for it. I like the better shine I get on standard calf, plus they feel more durable. Sorry for the crappy phone pictures...these shoes deserve better, but I spend all my money on shoes and not cameras

I think they look more susceptible since they are more textured...almost like they have some natural crease lines in them. However, their creases seem less deep than standard alden calf - with a good bit of leather conditioner worked into them the creases seem to lighten up a lot. Here are some pictures of mine, they have not been polished or conditioned since last wear this week (sunday is shoe polish night!): Alden calf on left, soft calfskin on right Closeup of soft calfskin: I like the soft calfskin and they are very comfortable. However, I wouldn't pay any extra for it. I like the better shine I get on standard calf, plus they feel more durable. Sorry for the crappy phone pictures...these shoes deserve better, but I spend all my money on shoes and not cameras

Wow! Thanks for the photos and great detailed explanation. Both shoes are very nice by the way. The extra perforation detail near the laces on the soft calfskin bluchers are beyond awesome! In my opinion, if you standard stock Alden shoes were made of smooth leather, they would show more and/or deeper creases.

After less than a day's wear. Sending em' back and hopefully will be offered a new pair, as opposed to having to wait months to have these repaired. If this slipped through quality control, no telling what will blow out next. First time this has happened for me with Alden, so hope it's not a trend. Not thrilled:

what is up with the coloring one those? that looks like more then just the suede being rubbed a different direction there. Sucks about the stitching, I've seen some loose stitching on Alden's before but nothing that ended up as bad as that after so short a time.

Walking on a sidewalk, dead serious. First time I wore them for about a half hour to gas up the car and stop by Starbucks for coffee. Second time wore them to grocery store, and then walking at a random outdoor plaza place, maybe 3 hours in total. Got home, went to take them off, and WTF?

Quote:

Originally Posted by slide13

what is up with the coloring one those? that looks like more then just the suede being rubbed a different direction there. Sucks about the stitching, I've seen some loose stitching on Alden's before but nothing that ended up as bad as that after so short a time.